Hiya,
My fella who is 2 years old..he's got a pretty solid sound temperament and not fearful in my opinion. A little wary of certain things though... since he was a pup has always been freaked out by metal klanging bleachers aka park, stadium ect. He will avoid them at all costs, there could be a steak up there, or me yelling for help or come(which he would come in a flash on any other occassion). It throws him into a panic ..he will walk around it or under it no problem..i dunno,I think it might be the sound or something..but this is a dog who doesn't get freaked out by firecrackers, gunshots, ambulance sirens 2 feet away...any suggestions to what I can do? Thanks in advance for your help...

Have you seen The Dog Whisperer's episode with the Great Dane afraid of shinny floors?

Both my dogs walk on the bleachers at the school fields that I take them to for training. My 6 mo old pup has been walking on the bleacher seats since he was very young the same with my 3 yr old. I will say that the first couple of times on them the pup listened to the noise of his nails on the metal sound. But since noises of any kind don't bother him it was no big deal. I could just tell that he was listening to the sound 'cause he stopped a couple of times & kinda turned his head as if he was listening to something. He also was surprized, it seemed, by the fact that they felt very cold on his feet. (This was back in Oct when the weather was warm) I start stuff like this when very young & then don't usually have any problems with them. I just asked him to get up on the lowest one & then just placed treats along the length of the seat & he just walked it. Every once in a while I ask him to do the same on the next higher level. My 3 yr old will just run right up to the top & run back down. The pup is just getting to the point that he might be able to jump from step to step but so far I have not asked for that. I just start him on the lower one & then ask him to climb up to the next higher seat & then walk along the length of that one on & so on. If the food incentive doesn't work....will he follow you up if you just step up on the lowest level & just keep walking with him following without saying or word or looking back at him? I would start about 20 or so feet away from the seats & then just kinda head over to them without changing pace or giving any clue like tensing up etc. I would reward every attempt for him to comply no matter how small. Even getting closer each time until he puts on the breaks if he does. Even if he stops closer each time..it will start to desensitize him. Also just standing by them & tapping your nails, a leash etc on the metal making differnet noises will help desensitize him to the noise of the metal if that is what is spooking him. We use a similar method when leading reluctant horses onto trailers. Just walk & look where you want to go & don't change pace don't look back etc. It will work with most animals most of the time. Good luck

thanks I appreciate the tips.. i think I will have to start slowly to desensitize him, maybe just first my sitting on the bleacher and him next to me and klanging the bench with the leash gently..I think it's the sound of the aluminum. A friend of mine uses an aluminum can filled with rocks and shakes it when she wants her shepherds to stop barking(lol). It's pretty funny but it works...my guy could care less when I've done that...I'll let you know how it goes next time I try(metal bleachers)..the funny thing with my fella is the height issue is not a problem, if it's wood, cement or plastic that he has to jump on no problem. I agree this is not a huge problem..worrying about idiotic owners with there dogs 50 yards away and off leash running towards my dog(on leash) that is definitely a bigger issue!!!

Mike, my suggestion was to walk onto the lowest part of the bleachers (usually behind the first seat part, but lower to the ground) & just step onto it (usually only 2-3 inches from the ground) & walk the length of it, feeding treats behind your back to the dog. Another thing that you might try to desensitize the dog to heights but they can see thru them & see the ground, is maybe fire escape steps. The first step or two. They are usually pretty close to the ground. I take my dog up & down any fire escape stairs that I can find from when they are small pups & still do it with my adults dogs. Try sitting on the 2nd step & see it the dog will stand on the 1st one & take treats. Try some really special treats that you don't use for anything else as a reward. Also, if you live in a city or town that has any of the basement/ celler street entrances that have the metal doors that open up onto the side walk...you might try that to desensitize to the metal sound underfoot. Sorry that's about all that I can think of to offer.

One other question....will the dog walk on a board that is ON THE GROUND...if so, than you can elevate it in 1 inch increments & still have the dog walk on it. Good luck.

I use the same bleachers in training my dogs, also. Never had the problem...Seems weird that the dog will do all those things & still not the bleachers. Good luck.